Market / Test: From Monday, May 15, Aldi Süd will be offering a number of useful bike-related offers for the second time this year. This time everything revolves around bike clothing – jerseys, trousers, jackets, gloves and more. We were able to get hold of some of the products before they went on sale and can tell you what is worth going to the discounter for and what is not.
Short test: crane cycling shirt
Price: € 7,99
As every year, Aldi has a product called "Radlershirt" in its range. Here, the frequent driver may well ask himself what the difference to a jersey is. The answer: there is none. The cycling shirt is a cheap jersey with a full-length front zip. Of course you shouldn't expect premium quality at a price of less than €10, but the key data aren't that bad: The material is quite pleasant on the skin, and mesh material is used under the arms to improve breathability. A silicone trim on the back prevents the extended back section from riding up. A nice detail is the reflector on the middle of the back.
The processing quality of the crane cycling shirt is below average, corresponding to the price. Coarse seams and some loose threads were to be expected, but aren't too big a problem, at least at the beginning. On the other hand, the very coarse arm cuffs with thick, internal seams, which certainly rub and press on long journeys, are uncomfortable. The fit, on the other hand, is quite okay, even if the cycling shirt tends to be a bit large.
Conclusion: Certainly not a bad choice for sporty leisure rides - especially since the price is right in spite of the workmanship flaws. For serious training or even competitions, however, the cycling shirt is not necessarily the first choice.
Short test: crane cycling shorts with inner slip
Price: € 12,99
Another classic is the cycling shorts with inner slip from crane. For less than €15 you can actually get shorts (for women and men) with matching inner briefs including a seat pad. The shorts themselves are made of a fairly thin, stretchy material that feels very comfortable on the skin. The fit is fine, but rather conservative and tends to be a bit large. The seams on the outside are ugly and, because of the dark colour, you only notice them at second glance, but they give the shorts a little "underpants look". A pocket at the level of the right thigh offers just enough space for the most necessary utensils.
The inner slip comes with a seat pad from Dolomiti (details here) and makes a very reasonable impression. The seat pad is definitely better than the pure foam pads that were often used in the past. Silicone cuffs on the thighs improve the fit and also make a very durable impression. But as with the shirt, you have to make compromises when it comes to comfort, especially on long journeys: On the one hand, the lacing of the waistband is on the inside and rubs on the skin over time, as do the again quite large seams on the leg ends.
Conclusion: The crane cycling shorts with inner slip are inexpensive cycling shorts for short and medium distances. If you don't place great value on a cool look and don't want to go on all-day tours with it, you can definitely strike here.
Short test: crane cycling shorts with seat pad
Price: € 8,99
The cycling shorts from crane are very reminiscent of the inner slip that comes with the shorts just discussed. Visually a little more pleasing, but as always in the past without straps and with a tie - more a case for leisure riders. A nice detail is the reflector at thigh height. Like the inner slip, the seat padding comes from Italy by Dolomiti (details here). Silicone cuffs have been thought of for the leg ends, but the thick seams on the inside rub against the skin after just a few minutes.
Conclusion: The crane cycling shorts come with a decent seat pad and some clever details, but due to the lack of straps and the lack of comfort, they are more aimed at recreational cyclists.
Short test: crane bike rain jacket
Price: € 9,99
The material of the cycling rain jacket from crane feels high quality at first glance and hardly suggests that the jacket costs less than €10. The jacket is very light overall and can also be folded up small. The fully taped seams and the sealed zip are nice – sometimes even much more expensive jackets don’t offer that.
Of course, if you take a closer look, you can see some processing weaknesses that are not too surprising in this price range, such as some loose threads and unsightly glued seams. However, the jacket easily withstood the short test in the rain and kept the inside dry. The hood is adjustable and definitely helmet compatible. In terms of cut, fit and other features, however, you have to ask yourself whether the jacket is really the right choice for use on the bike: The back is not extended and the jacket is more wide than long - not optimal for the sitting position the bike. The cuffs with non-adjustable elastic bands are quite wide and rain and wind can definitely get inside here. Reflectors and ventilation openings are also completely dispensed with - a pity!
Conclusion: The crane bike rain jacket makes a very good impression in terms of material, workmanship and features for the asking price of €9,99. Unfortunately, it can only be used as a cycling jacket to a limited extent.
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All Aldi-Süd bicycle offers from May 15, 2017